At the annual International Motor Symposium in Vienna, Volkswagen unveiled the new turbocharged 1.4-litre direct-injection four-cylinder TSI petrol engine that will power the 2008 Polo and will also be used later this year on the Golf and Touran.

According to Volkswagen the new engine develops a claimed 122bhp along with 148lb ft of torque at an ultra-low 1500rpm – figures that outgun VW's naturally aspirated 1.6-litre direct injection four-cylinder engine to the tune of 7bhp and 33lb ft.

The new engine is based around Volkswagen’s excellent Twincharger powerplant, as fitted to the Golf and Touran, with a bore and stroke of 76.5mm and 75.6mm respectively. Unlike the existing 140bhp and 170bhp Twincharger engines, however, it dispenses with the supercharger, relying solely on a turbocharger to swell its reserves.